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Chef Blake Keely, formerly of Benji’s Cantina, will stay on the KPG Hospitality team as Corporate Chef and is reinventing the culinary menu of Kung Fu Saloon. Launching on Monday, November 14th at Kung Fu Saloon Rock Rose, located in the Domain, the new menu will feature old favorites with an elevated twist.

Chef Blake previously served as the Executive Chef at Benji’s Cantina since it’s opening in 2013. Keely lead the kitchen staff in serving up Tex-Mex with a fine dining experience until August of this year, when the group decided to shut the West 6th restaurant’s doors. Prior to that, Keely worked at the UT Club, Roaring Fork and was technically trained at Cordon Bleu. Keely’s long resume of fine dining may seem to contrast with the relaxed concept that is Kung Fu Saloon, Texas’s go-to spot for vintage arcade games, and its famous pickle shots, but it has turned out to be a perfect pairing.

“I like to experiment and challenge myself to think outside of the box,” said Chef Blake Keely. “Creating this new menu has allowed me to have some fun with cooking. It’s going to be a great addition to the expansion of Kung Fu Saloon.”

His expertise and familiarity with the team behind Kung Fu Saloon, Benji’s Cantina and Brew Exchange has allowed him to seamlessly slide into the role of Corporate Chef as the Texas-based company continues to expand. The new menu will first roll out at the North Austin Rock Rose location in the Domain this Tuesday, November 15th. Keely and team will then visit each of the locations across the state and the upcoming location in Nashville to revamp the kitchen and menu at each. It features a variety of fun bar food snacks such as Cap’n Crunch Fried Pickles and a Green Chile Chicken Flatbread. If you’re looking for a little more sustenance, you can try one of Keely’s famous Chalupa Burgers, a half-pound burger with refried black beans, avocado, tostados, pepperjack cheese, lettuce, tomato and poblano rajas.

Kung Fu Saloon first opened on West 6th Street in downtown Austin. They expanded to Houston and Dallas and will soon open doors on the first out-of-state location in Midtown Nashville. With a theme that’s part vintage arcade, part sports bar and part late night dance party, Kung Fu Saloon has been elevating the entertainment value of each district it joins. For more information on the new Kung Food menu, please visit http://www.KungFuSaloon.com. Follow Kung Fu Saloon on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kungfusaloon Twitter: @KungFuSaloon and Instagram: @KungFuSaloon